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Selective Service System seal

Selective Service System

Abbreviation: SSS

Director (as of 2026): Joel C. Spangenberg (Acting)

2026 Budget: $31M

SAM.govCGAC Code: 9000

Website: sss.gov

The Selective Service System maintains the registration of U.S. men aged 18 through 25 so that in a national emergency, if a draft were reinstated by Congress, registrants could be inducted into the armed forces quickly and fairly.

The last draft occurred during the Vietnam War; registration resumed in 1980 and remains required by law.

How to Win SSS Contracts

Winning work at the Selective Service Systemmeans understanding a procurement culture that blends rigorous compliance, deep mission focus, and a preference for vendors who can speak the agency's language from day one. This guide walks through how SSS buys, the vehicles it uses, and the steps your company should take to go from registered vendor to awarded contractor.

Understanding SSS Procurement

The Selective Service System obligates roughly $5-10M in contracts annually supporting draft registration, IT, and administrative services. SSS is a small standby agency.

Contracts focus on registration-system IT, volunteer board training, and administrative services.

How SSS Buys

SSS uses GSA MAS and small direct contracts.

Major Contract Vehicles

  • GSA MAS— Primary vehicle for IT and services.
  • Registration System IT Contracts— IT modernization for draft registration systems.

Step 1: Get Registered and Compliant

Required Registrations

SAM.gov registration with UEI and CAGE code, full FAR representations and certifications.

SSS-Specific Requirements

FedRAMP Moderate for cloud. Experience with large-scale citizen registration or identity systems.

Certification Programs

8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB.

Step 2: Identify Opportunities

Primary Sources

SAM.gov filtered by SSS.

Key Offices

SSS Office of Management — Arlington, VA.

Top Contract Types

FFP and T&M/LH.

Step 3: Position Your Company

Build Relationships

Attend SSS industry days (infrequent) and federal small-business events.

Relevant NAICS Codes

  • 541512–Computer Systems Design
  • 541990–Professional Services NEC
  • 541611–Management Consulting

Step 4: Develop Winning Proposals

Technical Approach

Demonstrate registration-system IT or identity-management expertise.

Past Performance

Prior SSS, SSA, or large-scale registration/identity system experience.

Pricing Strategy

Price-sensitive buyer.

Winning Strategies

  1. Specialize in registration-system IT.
  2. Use GSA MAS as primary vehicle.
  3. Team with identity-management primes for adjacent work.
  4. Track SSS mobilization planning for potential surge contracts.
  5. Build FedRAMP posture for cloud bids.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Treating SSS as a growth market, it’s a stable, niche buyer.
  2. Under-investing in identity and privacy compliance.
  3. Missing the standby nature of SSS operations.

Small Business Programs

SSS meets small-business goals at its scale with consistent 8(a) and WOSB utilization.

Key Contracting Offices

  • SSS Office of Management — Arlington, VA

SSS by the Numbers

Annual Contract Spend
~$7M contract obligations (FY2025)
Contract Actions / Year
~50 prime awards/year
Top NAICS
541512
Computer Systems Design

Ready to Win SSS Contracts?

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